130 ON DRYING AND PREPARING SPECIMENS OF FLOWERS. 
for out of doors; exercise is, therefore, united with study, which is an 
object in the present state of education. All children are fond of 
flowers ; and one-half the design of teaching them Botany is that of 
exercising their understandings, accustoming them to attention, and 
giving them fresh instances of the wisdom and goodness of God. If 
the minds of children were more turned to these pursuits, and that 
curiosity about the things of nature which is implanted in their dispo- 
sitions gratified, there would be less complaint amongst young people 
of the dulness of a few weeks’ sojourn in the country than is now too 
frequently the case. The close examination necessary to discover the 
genus and species of a plant makes us acquainted with many beauties 
concealed from general observation, either by their situation or minute- 
ness. We cannot pursue knowledge of any kind without enlarging 
our views, as well as acquiring new ideas; and Botany has the great 
advantage of elevating the mind whilst it improves and cultivates the 
intellect. 
‘‘ What can add so much to the pleasure of a ride or walk in the 
country as a knowledge of the plants seen in the woods and hedges? 
or what more instructive to a child when it has gathered a pretty bunch 
of flowers than to point out to it the extraordinary beauty of the minute 
parts, the contrivances for the ripening or preservation of the seed, or 
the uses of its roots or juices? Many useful moral lessons may be 
given to the young in a country walk if this pursuit is understood and 
appreciated. Some persons are disposed to think it a useless study, 
and to laugh at those who pursue it zealously, and ridicule them for 
showing great delight at the discovery of a new plant they have not 
before met with; but if they will compare this enthusiasm with their 
own in any favourite study, they will find the feeling similar. Unfor- 
tunately, it is the custom to look on weeds with contempt, and to forget 
that they are equally the work of God with the planets or suns, and 
that every insignificant herb is a fresh proof of the wisdom and good- 
ness of God in the creation.” 
If the perusal of the above operate on the minds of the readers, 
especially the young, as it has done on mine, I shall expect they will 
be led to the all-interesting and useful engagement in providing speci- 
mens of flowers. I have read some observations on preparing a Hortus 
Siccus which have appeared in previous Numbers; but feeling per- 
suaded the following particulars, which contains remarks all others 
have omitted, will be useful, I send them as a necessary appendage :— 
Procure specimens as old as possible, so that the colour is not faded ; 
the more they are expanded the better, as the sap and juices are more 
absorbed by development; gather them, if possible, when perfectly 
dry, and be sure they are so before you proceed to press them. New 
Holland papilionaceous plants, Ericas, and many dry hard-wooded 
greenhouse plants will require to be dipped in hot water as far as the 
leaves, but not the flowers; lay them carefully spread out in any old 
book or album, between sheets of tissue paper, and gently press them 
for twenty-four or forty-eight hours; then remove them into fresh 
places onthe [paper—fresh paper will be best ; this will prevent any 
of the sap and moisture becoming mouldy and destroying the colours, 
